Resource Directory /

Champaign Resources

  • Compassionate Friends

    The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a self-help bereavement organization, providing support to bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and close family members who are going through the natural grieving process following the death of a child of any age (from pre-birth to adult) from any cause.

    TCF resources include:

    • Grief materials and information for the newly bereaved
    • A meeting locator tool to help you find a chapter near you
    • An online support community and live chats
    • A downloadable, online magazine
    • A comprehensive list of similar nonprofit organizations

  • Center for Parent Information and Resources (formerly NICHCY)

    The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) is a central “hub” for the network of Parent Centers serving families of children with disabilities nationwide. Materials on CPIR’s website are user-centered and created for and by Parent Centers around the country to help provide support and services to the families they serve. Resources include parent guides, training materials, information on special education and transition planning, webinars and more. CPIR also provides information in Spanish to help parents understand specific disabilities, the special education process and where to find help.

    CPIR also offers:

    • A family-friendly resource library
    • A monthly e-newsletter featuring new resources, upcoming events, and materials to share
    • Native American resources
    • The Office of Special Education Program (OSEP)’s Glossary of Common Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Terms in Spanish and in Korean
    • An events calendar
    • A Parent Center locator tool

  • Needy Meds

    NeedyMeds is a national non-profit organization providing information on healthcare and medication programs designed to help people afford their medications and other healthcare costs. NeedyMeds can help with paying for prescriptions, finding a free clinic and understanding your healthcare options. All the information is free, easy to access and updated regularly.

    NeedMeds also offers:

    • A toll-free helpline at (800) 503-6897 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • A directory of affordable health clinics for medical, dental, behavioral health and substance abuse services
    • Assistance with finding a private or government-funded organization offering help with treatment costs associated with specific diagnoses
    • A Patient Assistance Program (PAP) providing free or discounted medicines to people who are unable to afford them
    • Information on coupons, savings cards, rebates and co-pays

  • Get Covered Illinois – The Official Health Insurance Marketplace Resource

    Get Covered Illinois is the health insurance Marketplace resource for the state of Illinois. Get Covered Illinois provides information about health insurance coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

    Get Covered Illinois provides:

    • Information and support to help Illinois residents understand insurance and the importance of health insurance coverage
    • Access to health plans through Healthcare.gov
    • Free enrollment help from Get Covered Illinois Navigators by phone or in person in multiple languages and in your community

    Get Covered Illinois is a division of the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI).

  • InfantSEE

    InfantSEE is a public health program that provides a no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants 6-12 months old, regardless of a family’s income or access to insurance coverage. The assessment is designed to detect problems early to ensure babies have the opportunity to develop the visual abilities they need to grow and learn.

    The InfantSEE assessment is completed by a doctor of optometry. It includes discussing the patient’s and family’s health history and testing for excessive or unequal amounts of:

    • Nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
    • Eye movement ability
    • Eye health problems

    InfantSEE is managed by the Optometry Cares – The American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation.

  • National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home

    The National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home provides information, support, and advocacy for families and pediatric healthcare professionals who care for children with special needs in managed care arrangements. The “medical home” isn’t a place. It is an approach focusing on strengthening and improving the system of care for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.

    Located on the American Academy of Pediatrics website, the National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home offers:

    • Information on why a medical home is important
    • A medical home overview and FAQs
    • Tools and resources for families
    • Resources for medical professionals
    • Care coordination resources

  • Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Digital Library

    The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Digital Library serves the MCH community by providing a wide array of evidence-based information and resources to help strengthen and support State Title V programs, community agencies, educators, students, researchers, policymakers and families. The MCH Digital Library provides quick access to evidence-based/informed resources and programs to support states in developing, implementing, and evaluating Evidence-based Strategic Measures (ESMs) in support of their National Performance Measure (NPM) efforts.

    MCH Digital Library resources include:

    • Seminal and historic materials from federal, state and local programs
    • Resource guides
    • Professional resources
    • School and family resources
    • Title V toolkits

    Visit MCH Digital Library’s FAQ page to learn more about how to use the website.

  • Illinois Hands & Voicessun-icon

    Illinois Hands & Voices is a parent-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to helping families with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

    Families can learn about the variety of resources and options available to them and how to access them. Through this network of resources, families can make informed decisions about their future in regards to educational options, the changing landscape of assistive technologies and many other issues facing families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

    Families within the same geographic region within the state can share experiences and information as they support each other. They can receive the opportunity to gain knowledge and direction from families who have faced the same challenges and choices.